This is a paid piece from Panther Premier Print Solutions.

Simplified: Lisa Sweeter's been interested in the print industry since she was a little kid making homemade greeting cards. And while she enjoys the work she does as a graphics specialist at Panther, what's really kept her there for 39 years now is the people.

"I can go to anybody about anything," Sweeter said. "It's just a very positive work environment."

Why it matters

  • In a job market where folks often leave jobs within five or six years, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Panther's staff has an average tenure of 15 years – and that's no accident. The company's commitment to putting people first starts with a foundation of trust, gratitude and open lines of communication, said Aaron Wimmer, vice president of operations and strategy.
  • That company culture was a huge draw for Logan Forrester, one of Panther's newest employees who started earlier this fall as a bindery operator. He said even as he's still learning – and making mistakes along the way – he's felt supported and able to take accountability because at the end of the day, it's about working as a team to ensure the products are right for the customer.
  • Panther's positive work environment doesn't mean everything always goes perfectly, Wimmer noted. Rather, it's about being willing to have tough conversations when needed, and then move past any challenges to find solutions. And that all starts with trust.
"We trust our employees with the projects that we give them and with the challenges that we give them," Wimmer said. "And I hope they feel the trust in the company that they're taken care of, respected and celebrated."

Tell me more

Panther has been a family-owned company since it opened in Sioux Falls in 1984. What began as a print company more focused on paper products has since evolved to offer comprehensive branding solutions.

  • They'll put your brand on anything from pamphlets to clothing to vehicle wraps to large-format signs.

Panther has also seen significant growth in recent years – including the acquisition of AdArts in 2023 and a corresponding building addition.

Behind the scenes, Panther employees share a strong sense of collaboration.

"We all work so well together and everybody just helps everybody," Sweeter said. "If someone's not busy, they'll just go to a different department and help."

By having staff cross-trained, there's no sense of "that's not my job," Forrester said. Rather, everything is everyone's job.

Panther's leadership team also emphasizes gratitude – including implementing a practice of sharing something each person is grateful for during meetings.

  • That gratitude practice extended to the entire team this year with the help of a tree display in the office. Employees were invited to write something they're grateful for on the leaves.
"I never dread coming to work," Sweeter said. "Everybody is just so respectful. Everybody just gets along, and you don't find that much anymore."

How can I learn more?

Learn more here about how Panther can help you can get your brand on anything – anywhere.